U.S. patent application number 12/877067 was filed with the patent office on 2011-03-10 for communications device using near field.
This patent application is currently assigned to Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute. Invention is credited to Byoung Gun Choi, Jung Hwan Hwang, Chang Hee Hyoung, Seok Bong Hyun, Sung Weon Kang, Tae Wook Kang, Tae Young Kang, Jung Bum Kim, Kyung Soo Kim, Sung Eun Kim, In Gi Lim, Hyung Il Park, Kyung Hwan Park.
Application Number | 20110059692 12/877067 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43648154 |
Filed Date | 2011-03-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110059692 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hyoung; Chang Hee ; et
al. |
March 10, 2011 |
COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE USING NEAR FIELD
Abstract
A communications device using a near field includes: a near
field signal providing unit providing one of a baseband signal and
a signal obtained by applying digital modulation to the baseband
signal, as a near field signal; an interface unit transmitting and
receiving the provided near field signal; and a controller
controlling the near field signal providing unit and the interface
unit. A low data transfer rate of the related art near field
communications can be overcome. Namely, various services can be
provided by using a high data transfer rate. In particular, near
field communications and a network configuration and data
communications performed through the existing wireless network can
be implemented as a single combined technique. In addition, power
supply and communications can be simultaneously provided
effectively by sharing an interface of an electrical coupling and a
magnetic coupling.
Inventors: |
Hyoung; Chang Hee; (Daejeon,
KR) ; Kang; Sung Weon; (Daejeon, KR) ; Lim; In
Gi; (Daejeon, KR) ; Park; Hyung Il; (Daejeon,
KR) ; Kang; Tae Wook; (Daejeon, KR) ; Hwang;
Jung Hwan; (Daejeon, KR) ; Kim; Kyung Soo;
(Daejeon, KR) ; Kim; Jung Bum; (Daejeon, KR)
; Kim; Sung Eun; (Seoul, KR) ; Hyun; Seok
Bong; (Daejeon, KR) ; Park; Kyung Hwan;
(Daejeon, KR) ; Choi; Byoung Gun; (Daegu, KR)
; Kang; Tae Young; (Daejeon, KR) |
Assignee: |
Electronics and Telecommunications
Research Institute
Daejeon
KR
|
Family ID: |
43648154 |
Appl. No.: |
12/877067 |
Filed: |
September 7, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
455/41.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04B 5/0037
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
455/41.1 |
International
Class: |
H04B 5/00 20060101
H04B005/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 8, 2009 |
KR |
10-2009-0084344 |
Aug 27, 2010 |
KR |
10-2010-0083628 |
Claims
1. A communications device using a near field, the device
comprising: a near field signal providing unit providing one of a
baseband signal and a signal obtained by applying digital
modulation to the baseband signal, as a near field signal; an
interface unit transmitting and receiving the provided near field
signal; and a controller controlling the near field signal
providing unit and the interface unit.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein the near field signal providing
unit does not apply a modulation scheme using a carrier to one of
the baseband signal and the signal obtained by applying digital
modulation to the baseband signal.
3. The device of claim 1, wherein the near field signal providing
unit comprises a filter for limiting the frequency band of one of
the baseband signal and the signal obtained by applying digital
modulation to the baseband signal.
4. The device of claim 1, wherein the interface unit may include:
an antenna transmitting and receiving a radio signal therethrough
and a matching circuit.
5. The device of claim 4, wherein the interface unit further
comprises an insulating layer protecting at least one of the
antenna and the matching circuit.
6. The device of claim 4, wherein the interface unit is formed as a
transparent electrode.
7. The device of claim 1, further comprises a display unit visually
displaying information regarding the communications device using a
near field.
8. The device of claim 7, wherein the display unit may visually
display an external device available for communications.
9. The device of claim 7, wherein the display unit shares a
component with the interface unit.
10. The device of claim 1, further comprising: an external
communications unit providing a communications scheme other than
communications using a near field.
11. The device of claim 10, wherein the external communications
unit uses one of a wired communications scheme and a wireless
communications scheme.
12. The device of claim 11, wherein the wired communications scheme
of the external communications unit is at least one of a USB, a
LAN, and serial communications.
13. The device of claim 11, wherein the wireless communications
scheme of the external communications unit is at least one of a
WLAN, ZigBee.TM., RFID, and Bluetooth.TM..
14. The device of claim 1, further comprising: an induced voltage
generation unit supplying power required for the communications
device using a near field.
15. The device of claim 14, wherein the induced voltage generation
unit receives power from an external power source device and
provides an induced voltage to a different communications device
using a near field.
16. The device of claim 14, wherein the induced voltage generation
unit receives an induced voltage from a different communications
device using a near field.
17. The device of claim 1, further comprising: a battery unit
storing power required for the communications device using the near
field.
18. The device of claim 1, wherein the controller comprises a
memory for storing control information regarding the near field
signal providing unit and the interface unit.
19. The device of claim 1, wherein the controller performs
authentication for communications using the near field.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the priority of Korean Patent
Application Nos. 10-2009-0084344 filed on Sep. 8, 2009 and
10-2010-0083628 filed on Aug. 27, 2010, in the Korean Intellectual
Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a communications device
using a near field and, more particularly, to a communications
device using a near field capable of supporting a higher data
transmission rate.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Near field communications (NEC) is a technique of
transmitting data at a rate of about 424 kbps with low power
consumption at a distance within 10 centimeters, based on RFID
using the frequency band of 13.56 MHz.
[0006] According to the NFC technique, two or more NFC supporting
terminals can perform bi-directional communications, such as
transmitting and receiving an address list, games, MP3 files, and
the like, as well as phone numbers, by simply allowing the
terminals to come into close proximity without any intentional
manipulation by users.
[0007] The NFC technique enables mobile phones, AV equipment,
digital cameras, PDAs, set-top boxes (STBs), and computers, to
access each other by intuition to easily move or operate various
contents, and provides automatic network setting of the already
existing Bluetooth.TM. and wireless 802.11 equipment.
[0008] However, although the NFC supports operations at low power
consumption, it is disadvantageous in that a data transfer rate is
low.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] An aspect of the present invention provides a communications
device using near field communications (NFC) capable of supporting
a high data transfer rate.
[0010] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a communications device using a near field, including: a
near field signal providing unit providing one of a baseband signal
and a signal obtained by applying digital modulation to the
baseband signal, as a near field signal; an interface unit
transmitting and receiving the provided near field signal; and a
controller controlling the near field signal providing unit and the
interface unit.
[0011] The near field signal providing unit may not apply a
modulation scheme using a carrier to one of the baseband signal and
the signal obtained by applying digital modulation to the baseband
signal.
[0012] The near field signal providing unit may include a filter
for limiting the frequency band of one of the baseband signal and
the signal obtained by applying digital modulation to the baseband
signal.
[0013] The interface unit may include: an antenna transmitting and
receiving a radio signal therethrough and a matching circuit.
[0014] The interface unit may further include: an insulating layer
protecting at least one of the antenna and the matching
circuit.
[0015] The interface unit may be formed as a transparent
electrode.
[0016] The device may further include: a display unit visually
displaying information regarding the communications device using a
near field.
[0017] The display unit may visually display an external device
available for communications.
[0018] The display unit may share a component with the interface
unit.
[0019] The device may further include: an external communications
unit providing a communications scheme other than communications
using a near field.
[0020] The external communications unit may use one of a wired
communications scheme and a wireless communications scheme.
[0021] The wired communications scheme of the external
communications unit may be at least one of a USB, a LAN, and serial
communications.
[0022] The wireless communications scheme of the external
communications unit may be at least one of a WLAN, ZigBee.TM.,
RFID, and Bluetooth.TM..
[0023] The device may further include: an induced voltage
generation unit supplying power required for the communications
device using a near field.
[0024] The induced voltage generation unit may receive power from
an external power source device and provide an induced voltage to a
different communications device using a near field.
[0025] The induced voltage generation unit may receive an induced
voltage from a different communications device using a near
field.
[0026] The device may further include: a battery unit storing power
required for the communications device using the near field.
[0027] The controller may include a memory for storing control
information regarding the near field signal providing unit and the
interface unit.
[0028] The controller may perform authentication for communications
using the near field.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0029] The above and other aspects, features and other advantages
of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the
following detailed description taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, in which:
[0030] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a communications
device using a near field according to an exemplary embodiment of
the present invention;
[0031] FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a communications
device using a near field according to another exemplary embodiment
of the present invention;
[0032] FIG. 3 is a view for explaining a service using a
communications device using a near field according to an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention;
[0033] FIG. 4 is a view for explaining a service using a
communications device using a near field by employing an external
communications unit according to a wired communications scheme
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
and
[0034] FIG. 5 is a view for explaining a service using a
communications device using a near field by employing an external
communications unit according to a wireless communications scheme
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0035] The present invention may be modified variably and may have
various embodiments, particular examples of which will be
illustrated in drawings and described in detail.
[0036] However, it should be understood that the following
exemplifying description of the invention is not intended to
restrict the invention to specific forms of the present invention
but rather the present invention is meant to cover all
modifications, similarities and alternatives which are included in
the spirit and scope of the present invention.
[0037] While such terms as "first" and "second," etc., may be used
to describe various components, such components must not be limited
to the above terms. The above terms are used only to distinguish
one component from another. For example, a first component may be
referred to as a second component without departing from the scope
of rights of the present invention, and likewise a second component
may be referred to as a first component. The term "and/or"
encompasses both combinations of the plurality of related items
disclosed and any item from among the plurality of related items
disclosed.
[0038] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including
technical or scientific terms, have the same meanings as those
generally understood by those with ordinary knowledge in the field
of art to which the present invention belongs. Such terms as those
defined in a generally used dictionary are to be interpreted as
having meanings equal to the contextual meanings in the relevant
field of art, and are not to be interpreted as having ideal or
excessively formal meanings unless clearly defined in the present
application.
[0039] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below
in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, where those
components are rendered the same reference number that are the same
or are in correspondence, regardless of the figure number, and
redundant explanations are omitted.
[0040] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a communications
device using a near field according to an exemplary embodiment of
the present invention.
[0041] With reference to FIG. 1, a communications device 100 using
a near field according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention includes a near field signal providing unit 110 providing
one of a baseband signal and a signal obtained by applying digital
modulation to the baseband signal, as a near field signal, an
interface unit 120 transmitting and receiving the provided near
field signal, and a controller 130 controlling the near field
signal providing unit and the interface unit.
[0042] The communications device 100 using a near field according
to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention uses a digital
near field communications (NEC) technique based on a scheme in
which a baseband signal or a signal obtained by applying digital
modulation to the baseband signal is transmitted and a received
signal is restored, rather than based on a frequency modulation
scheme using a carrier, as a method for transferring high speed
data.
[0043] Services using high speed data transmission characteristics
as well as low speed data transmission characteristics can be
provided by using the digital NFC technique.
[0044] The near field signal providing unit 110 may provide one of
a baseband signal and a signal obtained by applying digital
modulation to the baseband signal, as a near field signal.
[0045] Also, the near field signal providing unit 110 may not apply
a modulation scheme using a carrier to one of the baseband signal
and signal obtained by applying digital modulation to the baseband
signal.
[0046] In other words, the signal may include a signal such as a
TTL or CMOS level in which 0 and 1 used for logic are indicated as
a voltage value, and such signal may be generated through a digital
logic circuit. Modulation through the digital logic circuit
includes a spreading operation, and because the generated digital
signal has broadband frequency characteristics, a filter may be
configured to limit the band. Information is received, undergoes a
spreading modulation process through the digital logic circuit, and
then passes through a filter. The resultant signal then
communicates with an adjacent device through an interface.
[0047] Namely, because the near field signal providing unit 110
does not use the frequency continuous modulation scheme used for
the conventional near field communications, it does not require a
carrier. Thus, a higher data transfer rate can be secured, and a
near field signal generated by the near field signal providing unit
110 can communicate with a device through the interface unit
120.
[0048] Also, the near field signal providing unit 110 may include a
filter for limiting a frequency band of one of the baseband signal
and signal obtained by applying digital modulation to the baseband
signal.
[0049] The interface unit 120 may include an antenna transmitting
and receiving a radio signal therethrough to better transfer
signals between contiguous devices or adjacent devices, and a
matching circuit required for the antenna. The interface unit 120
may be configured as an electrode based on a contact scheme.
[0050] The interface unit 120 may be made of a material having
conductivity, installed at an inner side of a mechanism of the
device, and exposed for user convenience. When the interface unit
120 is exposed, it may further include an insulating layer for
protecting at least one of the antenna and the matching circuit in
order to ensure user safety and protect the device.
[0051] Also, the interface unit 120 may be configured as a
transparent electrode, and in this case, the transparent electrode
may have a certain pattern to improve signal transmission
characteristics.
[0052] The controller 130 may control the near field signal
providing unit 110 and the interface unit 120.
[0053] Namely, the controller 130 generally performs controlling
operations required for the communications device 100 using a near
field. The controller 130 may control the near field signal
providing unit 110 and the interface unit 120, and also control a
display unit 140, an external communications unit 150, an induced
voltage generation unit 160, and a battery unit 170.
[0054] In addition, the controller 130 may include a memory for
storing control information with respect to the near field signal
providing unit 110 and the interface unit 120 or may perform
authentication for communications using the near field.
[0055] FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a communications
device using a near field according to another exemplary embodiment
of the present invention.
[0056] With reference to FIG. 2, the communications device 100
using a near field according to another exemplary embodiment of the
present invention may further include the display unit 140 visually
displaying information regarding the communications device using
the near field.
[0057] The display unit 140 may visually display an external device
available for communications and may share components with the
interface unit 120.
[0058] For example, in a device having the display unit 140, the
interface unit 120 made of a transparent material having
conductivity may exist on the surface of the display unit 140 to
provide an intuitive service to users.
[0059] An insulating layer may be formed on the interface unit 120
present on the surface of the display unit 140. Also, a conductive
film required to configure the display unit 140 may be used as the
interface unit 120.
[0060] In configuring a general flat panel display device, the
principle that a plurality of horizontal transparent electrodes and
a plurality of vertical transparent electrodes are formed and
signals are transmitted to the pertinent transparent electrodes to
illuminate cells at the corresponding positions is used to display
image information, and the transparent electrode used in this case
may be used as the interface unit 120 of the near field
communications.
[0061] The display unit 140 having a function for recognizing a
user's contact and an input pattern includes a transparent
conductive layer formed on an image display device to recognize a
contact, and in this case, the interface unit 120 may be configured
to recognize a contact by using the layer and transmit a digital
signal through a transparent electrode of the recognized
contact.
[0062] When an icon, a button, and the like, of the display unit
140 is in use for near field communications, a plurality of small
electrodes existing in the display unit 140 may be used as an
antenna pattern of the interface unit 120.
[0063] With reference to FIG. 2, the communications device 100
using a near field according to another exemplary embodiment of the
present invention may further include the external communications
unit 150 providing a communications scheme other than the
communications using a near field. The external communications unit
150 may use at least one of a wired communications scheme and a
wireless communications scheme. When the external communications
unit 150 uses a wired communications scheme, it may use at least
one of a USB, a LAN and serial communications, and when the
external communications unit 150 uses a wireless communications
scheme, it may use at least one of a WLAN, ZigBee.TM., RFID, and
Bluetooth.TM..
[0064] With reference to FIG. 2, the communications device 100
using a near field according to another exemplary embodiment of the
present invention may further include the induced voltage
generation unit 160 providing power required for the communications
device 100 using a near field.
[0065] The induced voltage generation unit 160 is charged with
power upon receiving it from an external power source device, and
provides an induced voltage to a different communications device
using a near field.
[0066] In general, the NFC technique is a technique for
transmitting and receiving high speed data between contiguous
devices or adjacent devices, so there may be a situation in which
communications are performed for a long period of time between
devices according to a usage field. In this case, the
communications device using a near field that can operate for a
long period of time upon receiving power from the external power
source device will be required.
[0067] The induced voltage generation unit 160 may receive an
induced voltage from a different communications device using a near
field.
[0068] For the reasons mentioned above, if a communications device
using a near field cannot be directly provided with power from an
external power source device, it should receive an induced voltage
from an external communications device using a near field.
[0069] For example, a first communications device using a near
field, which directly receives power from the external power source
device, can operate with the external power and generates induced
power by an induced magnetic field by using the received external
power.
[0070] Meanwhile, a second communications device using a near
field, which cannot directly receive power from the external power
source device, may use second induced power induced by the first
induced power generated from the first communications device using
a near field.
[0071] As a result, a portion of the power supplied from one
external power source device may be directly used by the first
communications device using a near field, and the remnant may be
used when the first communications device using a near field
generates the first induced power to generate the second induced
power for the second communications device using a near field.
Namely, the remaining power may be used for the operation of the
second communications device using a near field.
[0072] Also, an interface may be utilized to support both power
supply and communications as required. The communications device
using a near field uses electrical coupling characteristics and
uses magnetic coupling characteristics for power supply, so the use
of the interface may be shared for the two different couplings as
necessary, thus reducing the volume, area, and the like.
[0073] With reference to FIG. 2, the communications device 100
using a near field according to another exemplary embodiment of the
present invention may further include the battery unit 170 storing
power required for the communications device 100 using a near
field.
[0074] In case in which power supply from the external power source
device is suspended or cut, the communications device 100 using a
near field preferably needs to operate, so the battery unit 170
storing power required for the operation of the communications
device 100 using a near field would be required.
[0075] FIG. 3 is a view for explaining a service using a
communications device using a near field according to an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention.
[0076] With reference to FIG. 3, services using the communications
device using a near field according to an exemplary embodiment of
the present invention include diverse services such as a low speed
data transmission service or a high speed data transmission service
by configuring a network between electronic devices existing around
in a contact or proximity manner, such as between mobile phones,
between a mobile phone and a peripheral device, between notebook
computers, and the like.
[0077] Unlike the conventional NFC, data communications are
performed by using a baseband signal or a digital signal obtained
through a digital modulation process, without using a frequency
modulation scheme, and data can be transmitted at high speed
between two devices.
[0078] Through the high speed data transmission, music files or
video files, as well as a simple electronic business name card, may
be transmitted between mobile phones, and image information stored
in a mobile phone may be output to a beam projector or an external
monitor.
[0079] In addition, personalized or synchronized content may be
directly transmitted between contiguous or adjacent devices by
providing a network between terminals, notebook computers, or
personal computers (PCs).
[0080] A user's mobile device is configured to have a small screen
in consideration of its portability. Even an extended display
device such as a notebook computer may need to perform outputting
to a beam projector or an external extended display device
according to circumstances. In this case, the external display
device may be utilized as a multi-monitor of the user through the
communications device using a near field. The external display may
display the same or different information as that of the screen of
the user's mobile device.
[0081] FIG. 4 is a view for explaining a service using a
communications device using a near field by employing an external
communications unit according to a wired communications scheme
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0082] With reference to FIG. 4, among the services using the
communications device using a near field, a service using an
external communications unit according to a wired communications
scheme may be provided such that when the near field communications
device in the form of a pad is connected to a personal computer
(PC) through a USB and the mobile device having the near field
communications device is in contact or present in close proximity,
the user may use the mobile phone as an external storage device,
and the near field communications technique can be easily applied
to the device having a USB host function.
[0083] The service of using the external communications unit
according to the wired communications scheme can provide a new
service through NFC by connecting the external communications unit
to a device such as a TV or a DIVX player having a host
function.
[0084] In modern society, almost every individual owns a mobile
terminal having a communications function and additionally carries
around a portable storage device. The mobile terminal held by an
individual may be in contact with a connected computer so as to
form a network to perform an operation, or may move to a different
place for a conference in which the individual may bring the mobile
terminal into contact with a beam projector to connect the beam
projector as an external image device to the mobile phone to
utilize image data of the mobile phone.
[0085] FIG. 5 is a view for explaining a service using a
communications device using a near field by employing an external
communications unit according to a wireless communications scheme
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0086] With reference to FIG. 5, among the services using the
communications device using a near field, a service using an
external communications unit according to a wireless communications
scheme may be provided such that the NFC is applied to the user's
mobile terminal, and the user's mobile terminal may be brought into
contact or into close proximity with an NFC device of a door.
Namely, the service using an external communications unit according
to a wireless communications scheme may be used as a service of a
system allowing for entrance and exit through a user
authentication.
[0087] The user may input an encryption key through a keypad of the
user terminal or an encryption key applied to the door while
viewing a display device of the contacted mobile terminal. This
function may be also utilized for a payment service. In addition,
the function may be also used in association with the user terminal
or a fingerprint recognition system of the door.
[0088] As set forth above, the communications device using a near
field according to exemplary embodiments of the invention can
overcome a low data transfer rate of the related art near field
communications. Namely, various services can be provided by using a
high data transfer rate. In particular, near field communications
and a network configuration and data communications performed
through the existing wireless network can be implemented as a
single combined technique. In addition, power supply and
communications can be simultaneously provided effectively by
sharing an interface of an electrical coupling and a magnetic
coupling.
[0089] While the present invention has been shown and described in
connection with the exemplary embodiments, it will be apparent to
those skilled in the art that modifications and variations can be
made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention
as defined by the appended claims.
* * * * *